I miss my darling Nate. A few minutes ago, he shouted, “I love you Nonna, bye” in such a clear voice that all I was able to say was, “I love you too baby, take care”. Such is our exchange over the phone that I wanted to call him back to hear his voice again.
While we were at church today, there were lots of kids around Nate’s age and I was so surprised how behaved they were when the mass started. There was this mother and a new-born daughter right in front of us (a family of one of the lectors/commentators) and I can’t help but remember those days when Nate was just a baby and I wrote about every development in his young life accompanied by lots of pictures on my phone and on my camera. Josef even bought a video cam when Nate was born. This tiny tot will hold our hearts forever.
Moments like this always makes me nostalgic, remembering those times when the kids were growing up. I still keep their notes, letters and drawings in a shoe box that I lined with recycled Christmas wrappers and lovingly arranged together with their school recognition awards /certificates and medals. They were both achievers and they made me proud. Josef was an honors student until high school while Nissa maintained it until she graduated from college. I remember that time one of her professors called me up at home (I was retired by then) and excitedly shared the news that the deliberation for graduating honors students was over and Nissa garnered the highest Latin honors in her batch and graduated Magna Cum Laude. For a parent, it was a dream come true, an ultimate reward for all the sacrifices and the sleepless nights worrying about the days they came home late from school. The three of us all graduated from UST, three alumni who embraced a Catholic education. I couldn’t be prouder than most moms out there, I was the proudest mom when we came up the stage to award her with a silver medal embossed with the seal of the university and her name engraved at the back. Even her transcript of records were written, “Graduated Magna Cum Laude”. I remember Mom and Dad’s smiles when we came home and Nissa lovingly placed her medal on Dad’s neck and said to them both that it was for them too. Mom cried and dad was teary-eyed. When she graduated from her management training at the bank where I used to work, it was my turn to cry with such joy and happiness.
The joys of parenting. The pride you feel when your kids grow up as responsible adults. I am praying that someday, Nate would be as smart her mom.
Dreams And Escapes 